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Mayor Dina M. Grilo


Mayor Grilo serves as co-chairperson on all committees.

In 2020, Mayor Grilo become the first female Mayor in the borough’s history.

As a life-long resident of East Newark, Mayor Grilo is proud to serve the community and is committed to realizing the full potential of the borough. Growing up in the borough, she attended East Newark elementary school and proudly served as a volunteer firefighter with the East Newark Volunteer Fire Department.

Mayor Grilo is first generation American, born to Portuguese immigrant parents.  Her parents instilled in her a strong work ethic and respect for people, principles she implements daily.

To gain knowledge and better understand the partnership of local, state and federal public safety teams working together, she has participated in FBI Newark Citizens Academy and the New Jersey State Police Citizen Academy.

Professionally, she has worked in the financial industry for over 25 years and is currently a Program Manager for the Office of Disability Inclusion at JPMorganChase. Supporting employees and individuals with disabilities with financial literacy, workforce programs, and community engagement.

She personally supports veterans and military family causes, paying gratitude for their past and ongoing service.  She is fluent in Portuguese and conversational Spanish.

Mayor Grilo currently serves on the following boards:

  • Executive Board, NJ State League of Municipalities
  • Board Member, NJ Conference of Mayors
  • Trustee, Harrison Education Foundation

Milestones to date as Mayor:

  • Secured over $5.7 million in grants since taking office in 2020,
  • Secured a six-acre riverfront park donated by BASF.
  • Amplified diversity with cultural flag raisings, women’s events, and community events
  • Improved the Senior Citizen food program and upgraded the facility, seeing an increase of over 50% more seniors active in our center.
  • Secured a grant for a meal delivery vehicle for the senior and disability meals on wheels program.
  • Secured grant funding to renovate and reopen the community center.
  • Secured grant funding to provide upgrades to Searing and Veterans playgrounds. Installed accessible playground panels and equipment.
  • Secured grant funding for new turf for the Veterans Soccer Field.
  • Secured grant funding for water infrastructure upgrades and improvements to sidewalks and roads.
  • Secured grant funding for community Movie Nights. Captioning provided on all movies.
  • Continuously brings in federal, state, and county resources to aid our residents.
  • Public Safety: During COVID, we hosted one of the county’s first vaccine pop-ups; implemented an emergency food pantry, and secured vaccination events for COVID, Monkeypox and flu.
  • Increased the police department with new officers.  Resourced the department with body cams, vests, vehicles and firearms. Increased training and certification programs for the officers.
  • Secured grant funding for new gear and SCOT packs for the volunteer fire department.  
  • Member of the Biden-Harris Lead Replacement Accelerator Program.
  • Appointed the first female judge in the borough’s history.
  • Promoted the first Hispanic Sergeants in the police department history.
  • Offered the first Basic ESL course.